The Walkers

I'm going on a cruise in a few months, and I've decided that I need to either get skinny or get pregnant before I go. So, which shall it be? I don't see much point in trying for both.

I know, it looks like a big, empty field. Probably because it is a big, empty field. But what you're looking at is the future site of the Payson, Utah LDS temple! I'm so excited! I grew up riding my bike to the Jordan River temple, then spent four years driving an hour from Camas to the Portland temple, then I moved back to Utah (supposedly Mormon Mecca) and still had to drive half an hour and wait for multiple hours for a session in the overcrowded Provo temple. Well - now it looks like I'm back to my bike-riding roots, because I get my very own temple practically in my front yard! No word yet on size or dates of construction... but everyone here in little ole' Payson is buzzing over the news. You should have seen the ridiculous amount of cars lining the street last night to look at NOTHING. It was cute. Check out the article posted on KSL's website yesterday. (I promise that's my last hyperlink.) And yes, I do realize how sadly rural these pictures dep...

I am watching Laurel's little girl, Isabel, today. The girls were being eerily quiet in Kaiya's room, and upon investigation, I found this. How cute are they? I love Isabel's face in this last one. She is so pissed that Kaiya is ditching her.

http://gallery.me.com/mhuffyw#100027 (I might have cried a little bit the first time I watched it.)

My little brother Brett (who will always be this little brother Brett) is coming home from his mission in Tempe, AZ tomorrow!! I'm so sad I can't be there to help him through his "weird phase", but he will be out here (parents and Matt in tow) in two weeks when he moves back to Provo. YAY!! Let's see, he moves into The Riviera next month... so he should be married by Memorial Day. Right? Isn't that how it works?

Kaiya looked so cute all bundled up to go deliver neighbor Christmas gifts. I just had to snap a picture. Anyway - on to Christmas morning - Santa brought Kaiya this awesome table and chair set. She was so excited when she came into the living room and saw it. I love it because it reminds me of the one that we had growing up. It's a good thing she got that practice opening gifts on her birthday; she had it down for Christmas. But, she still preferred to play in the boxes. Around noon, we headed over to Brad's parents' house for Swedish pancakes (a sacred Walker Christmas tradition that I am so stoked to be privy to) and more presents. Every year gets crazier with all these kids running around AND I LOVE IT!! This wasn't planned... all the kids (minus four-month-old Vance) were fighting for a seat on Marsha's lap. I thought it was so cute. And of course, as soon as Kaiya saw the camera, she turned on her cheeser. Well - that's it for 2009!

I thought it might be good to get some birthday/Christmas photos on here before 2010 sneaks up on me. Kaiya turned ONE on the 18th and was an absolute doll. We were lucky enough to celebrate the day with all of her cousins, most of her aunts and uncles, and Nana and Papa Walker. Kaiya loved the presents (and the "help" opening them), the cake, and of course - the attention! I bought her this little outfit months ago... good thing it still fit. Barely :) ... showing off her new BeanLee (from Megan and Scott) and coat (from Dee Dee). This smile kills me. All night she would look around the room, make eye contact with someone, and turn on this "cheeser". She is so freakin' funny. Presents, presents, presents. She seemed to have more fun sitting ON the boxes than she had opening them. The cake eating process started out very civilized. Cutlery was involved at one point.... Until Kaiya realized it was easier to eat it with her hands... And then Scotty started playin...